After almost a year and 40 columns, I've run out of archetypes. I can think of others, but most of them are either specific to a certain genre or variations on Archeypes I've already covered. So I'm putting the column on hiatus for now. I'll still post new archetypes if I think of them and may revive it as a regular column for short periods to cover a specific genre or setting (kind of like the Fratboy of the Week entries), but for the time being this column will no longer be weekly. Tune in next week for the first installment of Monster of the Week.

The holy man is a character who serves God. Most fictional holy men serve the Christian God, but there are occasional examples of holy men serving other deities, especially in fantasy stories. It should be noted that the holy man's status as a servant of God is not usually verifiable; he is self-appointed, granted his holy status by a human organization, or claims that God talks to him. As a result, is often difficult to distinguish between a true servant of God and a delusional psychopath.

The noble savage is a character from a primitive culture who is uncorrupted by the prejudices and quirks of "civilized" society. As a result, the noble savage is seen as embodying a high level of spiritual enlightenment despite his barbaric nature. His simple, straightforward way of looking at the world allows him to point out the irrationality of many of modern society's most treasured rituals and beliefs.
]]>sjohnson@hexgames.com (Steve)Archetype of the WeekFri, 25 Jun 2010 05:53:07 +0000Archetype of the Week: The Boy Scouthttp://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/71-archetype-of-the-week-the-boy-scout
http://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/71-archetype-of-the-week-the-boy-scout

The boy scout is the classic white-hat-wearing Good Guy. He believes that everyone should get along and follow the rules, and does his best to help people in need. The boy scout's strong values, incorruptible ethics, and idealistic beliefs can at times border on hokey. In other words, your classic Lawful Good Paladin from D&D.
]]>sjohnson@hexgames.com (Steve)Archetype of the WeekFri, 18 Jun 2010 11:34:17 +0000Archetype of the Week: The Warriorhttp://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/70-archetype-of-the-week-the-warrior
http://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/70-archetype-of-the-week-the-warrior

The warrior is a character who specializes in battle. Unlike swashbucklers, most warriors prefer to dispatch their enemies with ruthless efficiency and sound tactics rather than with flashy displays of skill. This does not necessarily mean that the warrior is a humorless killing machine, however. Many warriors revel in the thrill and glory of battle (and even more in the victory celebrations that follow). The main distinction between the warrior and the soldier of fortune is that warrior often fights for reasons beyond the simple desire to earn a living--justice, his homeland, or political ideals, for example.
]]>sjohnson@hexgames.com (Steve)Archetype of the WeekFri, 04 Jun 2010 10:15:43 +0000Archetype of the Week: The Rookiehttp://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/67-archetype-of-the-week-the-rookie
http://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/67-archetype-of-the-week-the-rookie

The rookie is the new kid on the block who doesn't have a lot of experience. Unlike the hot shot, he also doesn't have an amazing knack for his line of work. He's just a regular guy starting his career. As a newbie, most rookies are subjected to all sorts of condescension, practical jokes, and initiation rights that they have to put up with if they want to earn their place in the group. In many stories, especially cop movies, the rookie's career will move in one of two directions: either he'll prove himself and become one of the heroes, or he'll die, usually in a way that is either darkly comical or sufficiently tragic to spur the heroes on so they can avenge him.
]]>sjohnson@hexgames.com (Steve)Archetype of the WeekFri, 28 May 2010 10:02:31 +0000Archetype of the Week: The Tricksterhttp://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/65-archetype-of-the-week-the-trickster
http://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/65-archetype-of-the-week-the-trickster

The trickster (often called the shapeshifter) archetype is closely related to the fool, but tends to be a more subversive character than the fool. The fool is (whether he knows it or not) is the object of others' laughter; the joke is on the fool. With the trickster, the joke is nearly always on someone else, and it's the trickster who's laughing. The trickster only reveals his true nature once the joke has paid off, and in many cases doesn't even do so then. Andy Kaufman played both roles and offers a good example of the difference between the two: as "the foreign man" (who later became Latka on Taxi), he was the fool; as Tony Clifton, Andy embodied the trickster. In literature, the trickster is often revealed to be something more than he pretends, usually a king or a god.

]]>sjohnson@hexgames.com (Steve)Archetype of the WeekSat, 22 May 2010 04:22:40 +0000Archetype of the Week: The Foolhttp://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/63-archetype-of-the-week-the-fool
http://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/63-archetype-of-the-week-the-fool

The fool is a comic relief character who makes the audience laugh by consistently making bad decisions, ignoring social boundaries, and generally acting absurdly. While some fools actively try to be funny, many are blissfully unaware of their shortcomings and flaws. Most fools are good-natured or too inept to be a threat to anyone but themselves, but in it is possible for a fool with power (and competent minions) to cause a lot of damage.

]]>sjohnson@hexgames.com (Steve)Archetype of the WeekFri, 14 May 2010 08:32:03 +0000Archetype of the Week: The Spookhttp://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/60-archetype-of-the-week-the-spook
http://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/60-archetype-of-the-week-the-spook

The spook is an agent of some shadowy (usually government) organization, or at least he claims to be. While some spooks freely identify their agency affiliation, many prefer to remain vague about the organization they work for and their position within that organization, possibly as a means of intimidation. Spooks present themselves as straight-faced, ultra-competent G-men with absolutely no sense of humor, rarely breaking character or admitting surprise at even the most ludicrous turn of events.

]]>sjohnson@hexgames.com (Steve)Archetype of the WeekFri, 07 May 2010 11:11:54 +0000Archetype of the Week: The Mentorhttp://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/59-archetype-of-the-week-the-mentor
http://deathcookie.com/index.php/columns/archetype-of-the-week/59-archetype-of-the-week-the-mentor

The mentor is a character, usually older or more experienced than other members of the group, who uses his experience to prepare the younger heroes for their ultimate mission or destiny. In addition to acting as an adviser and sometimes teacher, the mentor often acts as the conscience and voice of reason for the group. It is traditional for the mentor to die (or at least retire) once he has taught the younger heroes everything they need to know, but this is not strictly necessary in an RPG setting.